Your Red Sea Moment
By Carolyn Dale Newell
And the Lord said to Moses, but lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:16 NKJV
I stand at the water’s edge, waves lapping at my ankles. An occasional spray of sea foam brushes my cheek. I look back to see Pharaoh’s army approaching. In the distance, they appear as a multitude of ants invading a Sunday picnic. Their horses and chariots roar like thunder in the distance. This is my Red Sea moment, and it might be yours, too.
The medical dilemma that leaves your family with no really good choice. The relationship with your spouse, parent, or child that pleads for divine intervention. The financial woes that threaten to pull you under.
The Red Sea is infamous because God parted the waters for Moses and the Israelites to cross over. But before there was a miracle, there was a mess. One with no good solution. One without any hope. It is one of those messes only God can wipe up.
The children of Israel cried out to God. They complained to their leader.
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Ex. 14:13-14 NKJV
Then God told Moses to lift up his rod. It must have puzzled Moses at first. Can you picture the look on Moses’ face when God told him to stretch out his rod? What is that going to accomplish? Those folks were already upset with Moses. Now God wanted him to look stupid?
When we have our Red Sea moments, God might ask something illogical of us too. Actually, if you’re not sure you are hearing God, ask yourself if it sounds reasonable? If it does, it probably isn’t God.
God asked Noah to build an ark before raindrops had ever fallen from heaven. He asked Abraham for a child sacrifice. Elisha told Naaman to dip seven times in the dirty Jordan River to receive healing.
God often gives us a senseless task before He sends His miracle.
God has told me to lift my rod. This is one of great expense, but I will trust God to provide. I am obeying my heavenly Father.
Are you on the shores of your Red Sea? Have you heard from God? The thing that makes the least amount of sense? The question remains: will you wait helplessly, or will you follow in the footsteps of Moses, stretch out your rod, and watch the waters part?
Read Exodus 14:7-30.
Do you struggle to act in faith when God directs you? Why? Find a promise from Scripture that you can pray and hold onto while you wait.
Heavenly Father, We thank You for the Red Sea moments. They are the times we will see You work through the impossible. They are the times when faith is revealed. We praise You for the miracles You will accomplish in our times of distress. In the sweet name of Jesus, Amen.
© 2019 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Thursday, 04 January 2024.
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